Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 5 Players Available on the Waiver Wire

The first week of the 2011 NFL season has concluded, and with it, the inaugural contests of another year of fantasy football are a done deal. There were some studs (Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice comes to mind), some duds (the entire Kansas City Chiefs roster does too), surprises and excitement galore.

Whether you're basking in the glow of a Week 1 win, trying to wash off the stink of an opening week defeat or scrambling to recover from an injury, here are the five players you should target when submitting your first set of waiver wire claims for the season.

1. Carnell Williams, RB (St. Louis Rams)

There will be no other more sought-after fantasy football commodity on waiver wires this week than St. Louis Rams running back Carnell Williams, who came into the Rams' opening week loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in place of an injured Steven Jackson. Williams turned in a solid statistical effort, gaining 91 yards on 19 carries and catching five passes for 49 yards.

"Cadillac" has shown he can be a productive running back in both the NFL and in fantasy football, and with Jackson likely out for at least a few weeks with a quadriceps injury, Williams will be asked to carry the water in the St. Louis ground game, making him very desirable for Steven Jackson owners or any fantasy team looking for an upgrade or depth at running back.

2. Cam Newton, QB (Carolina Panthers)

Okay, raise your hand if you thought Cam Newton would kick off his NFL career by setting a record for most passing yards by a quarterback his first game in the league.

Now put your hand down, you liar (not you Momma Newton, you're good).

The Carolina Panthers quarterback isn't going to throw for more than 400 yards every week or score three times, but it turns out the first pick in last April's NFL draft may be a little more ready for the pros than most folks thought.

Fantasy football owners looking to improve their signal-callers would be well advised to give the rookie a look.

3. Rex Grossman, QB (Washington Redskins)

Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman rewarded head coach Mike Shanahan for naming him Washington's Week 1 starter by leading the Redskins to a victory at home over the New York Giants, topping 300 yards passing and tossing a pair of touchdown strikes.

Grossman's solid 2011 debut solidified his grip on the starting job in the nation's capital, and the Redskins' offense appears to be much improved over last year.

With an upcoming matchup against an Arizona Cardinals defense that just made Cam Newton look like Kurt Warner, fantasy owners in need of a spot starter or looking to improve at the position should make acquiring Rex Grossman a priority.

4. Jabar Gaffney, WR (Washington Redskins)

Veteran wide receiver Jabar Gaffney had the best season of his 10-year career in 2010, setting career-highs in yardage and receptions for the Denver Broncos, and the 30-year-old picked up right where he left off in his first game as a member of the Washington Redskins.

Gaffney had three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants on Sunday and nearly hauled in another long bomb for a score.

With a game against an Arizona Cardinals secondary that was horrid against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, Gaffney merits strong consideration from fantasy teams in need of a wide receiver. 

5. Fred Davis, TE (Washington Redskins)

You should be noticing a trend here.

Fred Davis was a big part of the Washington Redskins' Week 1 win over the New York Giants, hauling in five receptions for a team-high 105 yards and once again showing off the athletic ability that made him a star tight end at the University of Southern California.

Chris Cooley's nagging knee injury is one that may well dog him throughout the 2011 campaign, meaning more snaps and targets for Fred Davis.

And as the fourth-year pro showed on Sunday, he's more than capable of taking advantage of that opportunity, which makes him a player worth targeting on the waiver wire by fantasy owners looking to add a tight end.